The new tumor-detecting bra was capable of identifying 92.1 percent of tumors correctly

Women could soon check for breast cancer 24 hours a day, right out in public -- and no, fellas, not via physical examination.

A new bra can detect cancerous tumors in the breast long before the traditional mammogram screening can. The bra is called the Breast Tissue Screening Bra and was developed by First Warning Systems.

Women can wear the bra just like a normal one they'd buy from the store. It fits comfortable under everyday clothing and looks like a normal bra, but it certainly doesn't act like a normal bra.

It checks for tumors in the breast by measuring small changes in skin temperature over time that can indicate a tumor. A sensor in the front of the bra collects this data and sends it to the Internet, where the user can view results daily.

According to tests, which included over three clinical trials, the new tumor-detecting bra was capable of identifying 92.1 percent of tumors correctly. A traditional mammogram only has an accuracy of about 70 percent. Furthermore, the new bra can detect a tumor as many as six years before a mammogram can.

First Warning Systems is looking to commercialize the bra in Europe in 2013 and hopefully in the U.S. in 2014, depending on Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. A bra like this could not only detect tumors early enough for treatment, but also reduce the number of false positives and avoid unnecessary treatment.

so why did they make a breast-scan bra instead of say, a skull cap for brain cancer? or a jockstrap for ball cancer? :)

in all seriousness: it's a coll idea, and if the tech really does work (over three trials? so that's four then, right?), then one day we could have lycra-like bodysuits that continually monitor our vital signs and health. i'm not sure i'd wanna wear one though.

and then hackers would hack into sarah palin's titty records online, to check if she is tumor-free enough to run for president (yes, but she's also intelligence-free).

and all our lifesigns and crap would be on the internet for everyone to see, making choosing potential mates easier (well, for those of us not actually on the internet all day, ironically enough).

Lung, stomach, liver, colon and breast cancer cause the most cancer deaths each year. You would think they'd tackle you know something more people die from like colon cancer. People are still stupid enough to smoke, so who knows. Tobacco use is the most important risk factor for cancer causing 22% of global cancer deaths and 71% of global lung cancer deaths.

It works based on measuring skin temperature differences between normal and cancerous tissue. So it'll only work on cancers relatively close to the skin surface, not something deep in the body like your lungs, stomach, liver, or colon.

Well I suppose they could stick a sensor up your rear and leave it in all day to detect colon cancer this way. You can volunteer to test trial that since you're the one complaining they should be addressing colon cancer instead of breast cancer. :D

That's because when it comes to initiatives like breast cancer awareness, women all jump on board - they talk about it, won't stop talking about it and create attention. Where there's attention/awareness, there's a market to be advertised to. Corporates jump on the 'corporate social responsibility' bandwagon. Best way to advertise to a group of people buzzing about a health issue? Make a "donation" (or advertising investment) to an institution supporting the cause. Your company looks good, people buy your products because you've done a 'good thing'. Follow the chain and cancer R&D goes to where there's enough attention in the public about the issue.

Compare that to prostate cancer. Guys don't talk about it (probably because they have to admit they got a finger in the @$$ during diagnosis). Little to no buzz/attention to it, no return on investment, companies don't donate as much = little to no $ for R&D.

I think the reason breast cancer has so much attention is it's relative proclivity.. Where lung cancer is mostly caused by smoking; liver cancer by diet/obesity, hepatitis, and alcoholism; and stomach cancer by obesity/diet, smoking, gastric disorders.. the pretty damn random nature of breast cancer makes it especially scary.

And given that the mortality rate of those with prostate cancer is 1-2%, compared to breast cancer at 40%.. go ahead and go give yourself a prostate exam, buddy.

Not to say that the breast cancer charities aren't a total joke.. I refuse them a single cent, despite my own mother being a survivor. They'll see my support when she can attain affordable screenings..